Subsurface work chamber for making transparent an underwater cloudy work area

ABSTRACT

A method for making transparent an underwater work area covered with cloudy water for servicing an offshore well and a subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber for practicing the method comprising a submarine chamber rotatably mounted on a base positioned centrally of a group of wells around the periphery of the base is disclosed. The chamber has a water filter and an ejection nozzle for ejecting clear water from the filter into an underwater cloudy area over a well to be serviced for providing a relatively transparent area of clear water to see through and work in.

United States Patent [191 Pogonowski et al.

[ 1 Dec. 17, 1974 [75] Inventors: Ivo C. Pogonowski, Blackburg, Va.;

Paul D. Carmichael, Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Texaco Inc., New York, NY.

[22] Filed: Apr. 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 355,115

3,698,197 10/1972 Bodey et al. 61/69 R X Primary Examiner.lordan Franklin Assistant ExaminerDavid H. Corbin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-T. H. Whaley; C. G. Ries [5 7 ABSTRACT A method for making transparent an underwater work area covered with cloudy water for servicing an offshore well and a subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber for practicing the method comprising a submarine chamber rotatably mounted on a base positioned centrally of a group of wells around the periphery of the base is disclosed. The chamber has a water filter and an ejection nozzle for ejecting clear water from the filter into an underwater cloudy area over a well to be serviced for providing a relatively transparent area of clear water to see through and work in.

12 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTELBEB] 71.914 3,854,296

sum HP 2 FIG. I

22b ,29b 30b BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For servicing offshore oil and gas wells, expensive submarines or fixed submersible work chambers or buoyant capsules have been proposed as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,638,720; 3,643,736; and 3,656,549, but which have not been too satisfactory. Workers in the chambers have had difficult times getting to the actual well and have had to resort to small submarines as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,627 or to skin diving as suggested by U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,423.

Offshore operations in deep water face the additional problem of collapsing of the shell when lowered to the sea bottom due to the high hydrostatic pressure thereon. Large submarine hulls with self-propulsion systems are very costly and dangerous because of the ever possibility of drifting into deep waters where the pressure is greater than what the submarines are structurally capable of withstanding.

Large diameter flooded bells or chambers are massive and expensive for being lowered over one of several wells for being pumped dry of sea water and pressurized with air for forming a working chamber therein as suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 3,656,549 referred to above, or No. 3,602,301.

If the sea or bottom water is muddy, either usual operations are suspended or the work is done blind and very slowly as the operators feel in the dark.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a method for making transparent a subsurface sea bottom work area that is covered with cloudy, turbid, or muddy water.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide a subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber for housing workers for practicing the above method and for enabling the workers to work in underwater work areas covered with turbid or cloudy water.

A further object of this invention is to provide a subsurface housing or work chamber for making transparent an underwater area covered with cloudy water so that workers in the housing can clearly see to work in the area.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a subsurface life supporting work chamber for underwater workers when clearing a working area of cloudy water that is easy to operate, is of simple configuration, is economical to build and assemble, and is of greater efficiency for clearing cloudy unworkable work areas.

Other objects and various advantages of the disclosed methods and subsurface chamber for practicing the methods will be apparent from the following detailed description, together with the accompanying drawings, submitted for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, reference being had for that purpose to the subjoined claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings diagrammatically illustrate by way of example, not by way of limitation, a few forms or mechanisms to practice the methods of the invention wherein like reference numerals have been employed to indicate similar parts in the several views in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical side view of a basic embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention disclosed herein, the scope of which being defined in the appended claims, is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown and described for practicing the disclosed methods, since the invention comprises other methods and is capable of providing other embodiments for being practiced or carried out in various other ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Further, many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, all such modifications and variations which are within the spirit and scope of the invention herein are included and only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODS This invention comprises new methods for making transparent a subsurface work area covered with cloudy water.

The basic method comprises the step of:

l. ejecting clear water over the cloudy water covered work area to displace the cloudy water with the clear water to provide a transparent water covered work area.

In greater detail the above method may be expressed in the following method steps:

1. filtering adjacent water to provide clear transparent water, and

2. displacing the cloudy water from over the work area with the clear water to provide a transparent water covered work area.

In still greater detail the above methods may be expressed in the following method steps:

I. ingesting water from adjacent to the subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber,

2. filtering the ingested water to provide clear water, and

3. ejecting the clear water over the cloudy water covered work area to displace the cloudy water with the clear water to provide a transparent water covered work area.

DESCRIPTION OF AN APPARATUS While various devices may be utilized for carrying out or practicing the inventive methods, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate at least one inventive apparatus for practicing the methods described above.

FIG. 1, a vertical side view of the new apparatus illustrates a subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber 10 rotatably mounted on a base 11, which base has arms 11a, 11b, all slideable on vertical guide rails 12a, 12b extending vertically from the sea bottom to the surface. A hatch 10a provides egress and ingress to the work chamber for the workers.

Conventional clamps (not shown) are mounted internally of base 11 for releasably securing the work chamber at any position or depth along the vertical rails 12a, 12b, as controlled by operators inside the work chamber as suggested in ocean Industry, August, 1972, by the Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, Tex., pages 45-46.

Base 11, FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a tool rack and supply area for the workers in the work chamber 10 from which tools may be picked up with telescopic robot arms described below. A ring gear of helical teeth 13 is mounted around the periphery of the bottom of the enclosure 10. Conventional bearings (not shown) are mounted between the ring gear 13 on the bottom of the enclosure and the top of the base 11 to permit rotation of the work chamber 10 about its vertical longitudinal axis 14. A reversible electric motor 15 and a single helix worm l6 dirven thereby are mounted on the bottom of work chamber 10 with struts or legs 17a, 17b. Thus rotating worm l6 pulls itself and work chamber 10 around ring gear teeth 13 for rotating the work chamber about its axis 14 in either direction to face any of the twelve, or so, wellheads 18, FIG. 2, spaced around the periphery of base 11. Center line 19, FIG. 1, of a wellhead 18 indicates the center of work areas described hereinafter.

Two telescopic robot arms 20a, 20b, FIG. 2, are spaced from and pivotally mounted to opposite sides of the well servicing and life supporting work chamber 10, pivot 21b, FIG. 1, being illustrated for supporting arm 20b. The two telescopic arm pivots 21a and 21b, FIG. 2, are positioned horizontally opposite to each other. Remote control closed circuit television cameras 22a, 22b are universally pivotally mounted on the respective ends of the two telescopic arms 20a and 20b.

Another closed circuit television camera 220 with flood lights 23a, 23b mounted on each side thereof is mounted on the front wall portion of the operators enclosure between the telescopic arms 20a, 20b. An observation window 24 is provided in the front wall of the work chamber 10 for viewing of the lighted work area by the operators therein.

Connected to the outer extremities of the telescopic arms 20a, 20b, FIGS. 1, 2, socket tool grip connections 25a, 25b, respectively, similar to those shown in the subsea diving bell disclosed in ocean Industry, supra, but with electromagnets combined therewith for gripping and using all conventional tools from a tool rack (not shown) on the base 11 for remote operation in the working area from control inside of the work chamber 10. The robot arms 20a, 20b are each individually pivotal about its pivot 21a, 21b, respectively, by its motor and worm gear combinations 26a (not shown), 26b, FIGS. 1 and 2, and telescopically extendible with actuating motors 35a (not shown), and 35b for remotely picking up tools and working in the working area of one 0f the wellheads 18, for example.

Filter assemblies 27a, 27b, FIGS. 1, 2, are the main features of this invention for making a very efficient subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber operable in all types of water, particularly cloudy, muddy, murky, or turbid water. Both filter assemblies 27a, 27b are fixedly mounted on opposite sides of the well servicing and life supporting work chamber 10 between the telescopic arms 20a. 20b. As illustrated in the side view of FIG. 1, the left filter assembly 27b. for example, comprises an inlet or intake duct 28b for drawing in cloudy or turbid water of any type, regardless of how dirty it is, a water pump 29b and electric motor 30b for driving the pump, a suitable clarifier or filter internally of filter assembly 27b, and an outlet duct and adjustable nozzle 31b for ejecting clear, transparent water over the desired work area. The water pump may be reversible for backwashing. While the above described filter assembly is illustrated as being fixed to the work chamber 10, it may be pivotally mounted thereto if so desired and required for the particular work chamber.

A transparent baffle plate 32, FIGS. 1 and 2, is mounted between the cloudy water intake 28b, FIG. I, and the clear water exhaust nozzle 31b, and preferably attached to the undersurface of the intake ducts 28a, 28b of both filter assemblies and to the adjacent wall surface of work chamber 10 for separating the inlet and outlet ducts for preventing recirculation of clear water from outlet duct and nozzle 31b directly to water intake duct 28. j

A clear water supply hose and nozzle 34 comprising a small water ejection means is mounted on one of the robot arms20a for clearing the portion of the work area at the tool being held by the robot arm for clarity of visibility.

Umbilical line 26 provides all necessary supplies to the workers inside the work chamber.

In operation while exhaust nozzle 31b, FIG. 1, is movable to a limited degree for fine adjustments in directing the clear water stream, the principal method of directional control of the clear water over the work area is by releasing the clamps (not shown) on the rails 12a, 12b, and raising or lowering the work chamber and base on cable 36 on vertical longitudinal axis 14 by conventional winch means (not shown) in the work chamber, reattaching the clamps for fixing the base 11 at the proper depth, and revolving the work chamber 10 relative to the base by actuation of motor and worm gear l5, 16 to position the work chamber for facing the particular wellhead and work area desired. Then the clear water filter or clear water generating system is actuated to displace the cloudy water with clear water to make a transparent water covered work area followed by actuation of the lights and closed circuit television cameras to assist the operators in the operation of their robot telescopic tool carrying arms 20a, 20b in the work area.

Accordingly, it will be seen that the above described methods for making transparent a subsurface work area covered with cloudy water and a subsurface work chamber for practicing the above methods are set forth above which will operate in a manner which meets each of the objects set forth hereinbefore.

While only a few methods of the invention and one mechanism for practicing the methods has been disclosed, it will be evident that various other methods and modifications are possible in the arrangement and construction of the disclosed invention without departing from the scope of the invention and it is accordingly desired to comprehend within the purview of this invention such modifications as may be considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

I. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber for housing workers and wellhead equipment for operating in an underwater area covered with cloudy water comprising,

a. submarine chamber means,

b. water filter means including water inlet means and pump means for said submarine chamber means for drawing in cloudy water and filtering said cloudy water to provide clear water,

c. water ejection means for said submarine chamber means,

d. said water ejection means being responsive to said water filter means for ejecting clear water over said underwater area for providing a relatively transparent area of clear water to work in, and

e. baffle plate means being positioned between said water inlet means and said water ejection means for limiting mixing of the ejecting clean and clear water with the incoming cloudy water and to increase the size of work area swept by the clean and clear water.

2. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 1 comprising further,

a. robot arm means on said submarine chamber means for working in the underwater area having transparent water thereover.

3. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 2 wherein said submarine chamber comprises,

a. a base for being positioned adjacent to a well in the b. a watertight working chamber rotatably mounted on said base, and

c. means for controlling rotation of said submarine chamber for enabling the workers in the submarine chamber to service a well in the transparent water working area.

4. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 2 comprising,

a. a pivotal connection between said robot arm means and said submarine chamber means, and

b. said robot arm means is extendable and is rotatable about said connection to said submarine chamber means for extending an outer end thereof into the transparent work area.

5. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 2 wherein,

a. said robot arm means comprises two telescopic tubes rotatably connected to said submarine chamber means, and

b. television cameras on the outer ends of each telescopic tube for being moved over the transparent water working areas for viewing therethrough.

6. A subsurface well servicing and life'supporting work chamber as recited in claim 2 wherein said water filtering means comprises,

a. elongated pipe means having filter means therein for said work chamber,

b. water inlet means for said elongated pipe means for drawing in cloudy water through said filter means, and

c. water outlet means for ejecting clean water over the work area to provide a clear transparent water subsurface working area.

7. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 1 wherein,

a. said baffle plate means extends over at least a portion of said work area, and

b. said baffle plate means is transparent.

8. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber for housing workers and wellhead equipment for operating in an underwater area covered with cloudy water comprising,

a. submarine chamber means,

b. elongated pipe means for said work chamber means,

0. water inlet means having pump means for said elongated pipe means for drawing in cloudy water,

d. filter means in said elongated pipe means for filtering said cloudy water to provide clear transparent water,

e. water outlet means for said elongated pipe means for receiving said clear transparent water,

f. robot arm means for said submarine work chamber means,

g. said robot arm means comprises two telescopic tubes rotatably mounted on said submarine chamber means and having extendible means for being extended over the desired transparent water working area,

h. said water inlet means being secured to an outer end of said elongated pipe means, and

i. said water outlet means being secured to an outer end of said robot telescopic tube for ejecting clean water over said underwater area for providing a relatively clear transparent water working area.

9. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 8 wherein,

a. transparent baffle plate means is positioned between said water inlet means and said water outlet means for limiting mixing of the ejecting clean and clear water with the incoming cloudy water and to increase the size of work area swept by the clean and clear water.

10. A subsurface well servicing and lift supporting work chamber as recited in claim 8 wherein,

a. transparent baffle plate means is mounted on said chamber between said water inlet means and said water outlet means.

11. A subsurface housing for operation in an underwater area covered with cloudy water comprising,

a. submarine chamber means,

b. water inlet means for said submarine chamber means for drawing in cloudy water,

c. filter means including pump means for said submarine chamber means for filtering said cloudy water for providing clear transparent water, and

d. water ejection means for said submarine chamber for ejecting said clear water over said underwater area for providing a. relatively clear transparent water working area, and

e. baffle plate means being positioned between said water inlet means and said water ejection means for limiting mixing of the clean water with the cloudy water and to increase the size of work area swept by the clean and clear water.

12. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 11 wherein,

a. said beffle plate means extends over at least a portion of said work area, and

b. said baffle platemeans is transparent. 

1. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber for housing workers and wellhead equipment for operating in an underwater area covered with cloudy water comprising, a. submarine chamber means, b. water filter means including water inlet means and pump means for said submarine chamber means for drawing in cloudy water and filtering said cloudy water to provide clear water, c. water ejection means for said submarine chamber means, d. said water ejection means being responsive to said water filter means for ejecting clear water over said underwater area for providing a relatively transparent area of clear water to work in, and e. baffle plate means being positioned between said water inlet means and said water ejection means for limiting mixing of the ejecting clean and clear water with the incoming cloudy water and to increase the size of work area swept by the clean and clear water.
 2. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 1 comprising further, a. robot arm means on said submarine chamber means for working in the underwater area having transparent water thereover.
 3. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 2 wherein said submarine chamber comprises, a. a base for being positioned adjacent to a well in the sea floor, b. a watertight working chamber rotatably mounted on said base, and c. means for controlling rotation of said submarine chamber for enabling the workers in the submarine chamber to service a well in the transparent water working area.
 4. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 2 comprising, a. a pivotal connection between said robot arm means and said submarine chamber means, and b. said robot arm means is extendable and is rotAtable about said connection to said submarine chamber means for extending an outer end thereof into the transparent work area.
 5. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 2 wherein, a. said robot arm means comprises two telescopic tubes rotatably connected to said submarine chamber means, and b. television cameras on the outer ends of each telescopic tube for being moved over the transparent water working areas for viewing therethrough.
 6. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 2 wherein said water filtering means comprises, a. elongated pipe means having filter means therein for said work chamber, b. water inlet means for said elongated pipe means for drawing in cloudy water through said filter means, and c. water outlet means for ejecting clean water over the work area to provide a clear transparent water subsurface working area.
 7. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 1 wherein, a. said baffle plate means extends over at least a portion of said work area, and b. said baffle plate means is transparent.
 8. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber for housing workers and wellhead equipment for operating in an underwater area covered with cloudy water comprising, a. submarine chamber means, b. elongated pipe means for said work chamber means, c. water inlet means having pump means for said elongated pipe means for drawing in cloudy water, d. filter means in said elongated pipe means for filtering said cloudy water to provide clear transparent water, e. water outlet means for said elongated pipe means for receiving said clear transparent water, f. robot arm means for said submarine work chamber means, g. said robot arm means comprises two telescopic tubes rotatably mounted on said submarine chamber means and having extendible means for being extended over the desired transparent water working area, h. said water inlet means being secured to an outer end of said elongated pipe means, and i. said water outlet means being secured to an outer end of said robot telescopic tube for ejecting clean water over said underwater area for providing a relatively clear transparent water working area.
 9. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 8 wherein, a. transparent baffle plate means is positioned between said water inlet means and said water outlet means for limiting mixing of the ejecting clean and clear water with the incoming cloudy water and to increase the size of work area swept by the clean and clear water.
 10. A subsurface well servicing and lift supporting work chamber as recited in claim 8 wherein, a. transparent baffle plate means is mounted on said chamber between said water inlet means and said water outlet means.
 11. A subsurface housing for operation in an underwater area covered with cloudy water comprising, a. submarine chamber means, b. water inlet means for said submarine chamber means for drawing in cloudy water, c. filter means including pump means for said submarine chamber means for filtering said cloudy water for providing clear transparent water, and d. water ejection means for said submarine chamber for ejecting said clear water over said underwater area for providing a relatively clear transparent water working area, and e. baffle plate means being positioned between said water inlet means and said water ejection means for limiting mixing of the clean water with the cloudy water and to increase the size of work area swept by the clean and clear water.
 12. A subsurface well servicing and life supporting work chamber as recited in claim 11 wherein, a. said beffle plate means extends over at least a portion of said work area, and b. said baffle plate means is transparent. 